Learn these words: droll, decipher, asylum, laxative, allay (SAT/GRE & literary language)

Pronunciation

droll /droʊl/decipher /dəˈsaɪfər/asylum /əˈsaɪləm/laxative /ˈlæksətɪv/allay /əˈleɪ/

Example Sentences

1. His droll sense of humor always made her laugh.
2. It took her a while to decipher the ancient text.
3. The refugees sought asylum in the neighboring country.
4. She took a laxative to relieve her constipation.
5. The manager tried to allay the employees' fears about the company's future.

Word (synonyms)- Definition/s =>[Collocations] - Antonyms

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droll (amusing, comical) - comical in an odd or whimsical manner.
=>[droll sense of humor, droll remark, droll anecdote]
- serious, somber
droll (amusing, comical) - comical in an odd or whimsical manner.
=>[droll sense of humor, droll remark, droll anecdote]
- serious, somber


decipher (decode, interpret) - read with difficulty; convert code into ordinary language.
=>[decipher a code, decipher a message, decipher a handwriting]
- encrypt, scramble
decipher (decode, interpret) - read with difficulty; convert code into ordinary language.
=>[decipher a code, decipher a message, decipher a handwriting]
- encrypt, scramble


asylum (refuge, sanctuary) - a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person; a shelter from danger or hardship.
=>[asylum seeker, asylum claim, asylum grant]
- persecution, oppression
asylum (refuge, sanctuary) - a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person; a shelter from danger or hardship.
=>[asylum seeker, asylum claim, asylum grant]
- persecution, oppression


laxative (purgative, cathartic) - stimulating evacuation of feces; a mild cathartic.
=>[laxative for constipation, laxative for stomach cramps, laxative for travel]
- constipation, difficulty passing stool
laxative (purgative, cathartic) - stimulating evacuation of feces; a mild cathartic.
=>[laxative for constipation, laxative for stomach cramps, laxative for travel]
- constipation, difficulty passing stool


allay (alleviate, ease) - satisfy (thirst); lessen the intensity of or calm.
=>[allay fears, allay anxiety, allay suspicions]
- exacerbate, intensify
allay (alleviate, ease) - satisfy (thirst); lessen the intensity of or calm.
=>[allay fears, allay anxiety, allay suspicions]
- exacerbate, intensify

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Also, in case you are learning other languages

Original Sentences

1. His droll sense of humor always made her laugh.
2. It took her a while to decipher the ancient text.
3. The refugees sought asylum in the neighboring country.
4. She took a laxative to relieve her constipation.
5. The manager tried to allay the employees' fears about the company's future.

Translation to Spanish

1. Su divertido sentido del humor siempre la hacía reír.
2. Le tomó un tiempo descifrar el texto antiguo.
3. Los refugiados buscaron asilo en el país vecino.
4. Tomó un laxante para aliviar su estreñimiento.
5. El director intentó disipar los temores de los empleados sobre el futuro de la empresa.

Translation to French

1. Son sens de l'humour drôle la faisait toujours rire.
2. Il lui fallut un certain temps pour déchiffrer le texte ancien.
3. Les réfugiés ont demandé asile dans le pays voisin.
4. Elle a pris un laxatif pour soulager sa constipation.
5. Le directeur a tenté d'apaiser les craintes des salariés quant à l'avenir de l'entreprise.

Translation to Portuguese

1. O senso de humor engraçado dele sempre a fazia rir.
2. Ela demorou um pouco para decifrar o texto antigo.
3. Os refugiados buscaram asilo no país vizinho.
4. Ela tomou um laxante para aliviar a prisão de ventre.
5. O gerente tentou acalmar os temores dos funcionários sobre o futuro da empresa.

Translation to Italian

1. Il suo senso dell'umorismo la faceva sempre ridere.
2. Le ci volle un po' per decifrare il testo antico.
3. I rifugiati cercarono asilo nel paese vicino.
4. Prese un lassativo per alleviare la stitichezza.
5. Il direttore cercò di placare i timori dei dipendenti sul futuro dell'azienda.

Translation to German

1. Sein drolliger Sinn für Humor brachte sie immer zum Lachen.
2. Es dauerte eine Weile, bis sie den alten Text entzifferte.
3. Die Flüchtlinge suchten im Nachbarland Asyl.
4. Sie nahm ein Abführmittel, um ihre Verstopfung zu lindern.
5. Der Manager versuchte, den Mitarbeitern die Ängste um die Zukunft des Unternehmens zu zerstreuen.

Translation to Russian

1. Его забавное чувство юмора всегда заставляло ее смеяться.
2. Ей потребовалось некоторое время, чтобы расшифровать древний текст.
3. Беженцы попросили убежища в соседней стране.
4. Она приняла слабительное, чтобы облегчить запор.
5. Менеджер постарался развеять опасения сотрудников по поводу будущего компании.

Translation to English

1. His droll sense of humor always made her laugh.
2. It took her a while to decipher the ancient text.
3. The refugees sought asylum in the neighboring country.
4. She took a laxative to relieve her constipation.
5. The manager tried to allay the employees' fears about the company's future.

More languages?

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Etymology

droll: The word "droll" means "amusing" or "funny." It comes from the Middle English word "drolle," meaning "a jester" or "a buffoon," which is derived from the Old Norse word "drolla" (to jest)

decipher: The word "decipher" means "to decode" or "to interpret." It comes from the Old French word "decifrer," meaning "to decode," which is derived from the Latin word "dis-" (apart) and "cifra" (cipher)

asylum: The word "asylum" refers to a place of refuge or safety. It comes from the Greek word "asylon," meaning "sanctuary," which is derived from "a-" (not) and "syle" (right of seizure)

laxative: The word "laxative" refers to a substance that promotes bowel movements. It comes from the Latin word "laxare," meaning "to loosen," which is derived from "laxus" (loose)

allay: The word "allay" means "to calm" or "to soothe." It comes from the Old English word "alecgan," meaning "to put down" or "to allay"

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